Boggs, Jefferson, Humphries ruled out for Cardinals against Rams
Dec 27, 2016, 1:36 PM
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) and middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tony Jefferson and Taylor Boggs will join a long list of Arizona Cardinals already on injured reserve, and tackle DJ Humphries has already been ruled out.
Coach Bruce Arians announced on Tuesday that Jefferson has a sprained knee while Boggs has a shoulder injury. Both players will join Tyrann Mathieu, who was placed on IR last week.
“He wasn’t ready to play,” Arians said of Mathieu. “He was hurting the team as much as taking the chance of hurting him. He just wasn’t ready to play.”
Jefferson, in a contract season, has put together his best year so far. The strong safety had 96 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries coming into the game at Seattle. With Jefferson out, the Cardinals shifted DJ. Swearinger to strong safety and allowed rookie Harlan Miller to see some playing time at free safety.
Arians said he was pleased with the performance of Miller.
“I’m not sure what direction we will go at with safety. Obviously I was very happy with Harlan, probably screw him up if we coach him,” Arians said.
Boggs was replaced by rookie offensive lineman Evan Boehm, who at Missouri played as a center. It was his first action this season for the banged up Cardinals offensive line that did not have Humphries as he was on concussion protocol.
“He played really well when he didn’t screw up,” Arians said of Boehm. “It’s just blitzes that he turned guys loose up the middle and that happens real fast when you are at guard.”
Arians said that Humphries will not play on Sunday in Los Angeles against the Rams, even if he passes the concussion protocol
“I’m not going to jeopardize his future,” Arians said.
